Beyond the Ashes: Frontline Workers Supporting Unhoused Angelenos Impacted By the LA Wildfires
January 22, 2025
For nearly 50 years, St. Joseph Center has served those affected by poverty and homelessness. However, the recent wildfires in early January 2025 devastated the LA community, impacting many of St. Joseph Center’s programs. People lost everything – homes, belongings, and a sense of safety. For those already struggling with homelessness, the wildfires created a new layer of trauma and uncertainty.
Amber, a Problem-Solving Specialist at St. Joseph Center’s Access Center, shared her experience: “The most pressing needs we observed were immediate shelter, food, and necessities like showers, clothing, and hygiene items. Many people were already experiencing anxiety, and it was our duty to extend beyond providing basic needs to offering emotional support and a sense of safety. To make matters worse, the Access Center lost power, making it even more challenging to provide essential services. But we were ready. We knew we had to be there for our clients. Seeing our team show up dedicated and able to pivot at a moment’s notice made my heart melt. That is why I do this work.”
St. Joseph Center’s SPA 5 Access Center, located in Venice, provides individuals experiencing homelessness on the Westside of Los Angeles with access to hot showers, clothing, hygiene kits, mail services, medical and mental health support, and referrals to other essential services. For those experiencing homelessness on the west side, you can schedule an appointment or visit the Access Center to meet with someone in person.
Vincent, a Program Manager with St. Joseph Center’s Outreach team, shared his experience: “I was doing outreach in Palisades Park, not far from the fires, when they struck. The sky was black. We didn’t know what the fires would do. It was like watching a horror movie. You saw these “rich LA” homes, beautiful houses on a level field on fire. It was a stark reminder of how interconnected we all are, regardless of our social or economic status. We all face the same dangers, regardless of our background. The hardest part to me is a broken system.”
Homelessness is a humanitarian crisis in Los Angeles County. This crisis is made worse by the lack of affordable housing and the significant mental health crisis facing our community. In California, approximately 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness, and many individuals experiencing homelessness also struggle with mental health conditions. (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2024) This statistic shows how we need more mental health services and affordable housing access.
We were all inspired by the resilience of our clients, especially those who had to evacuate or needed emergency vouchers to get indoors. The dedication of St. Joseph Center’s entire team was incredible throughout this difficult time. The community stepped up. People donated supplies, volunteered their time, and generously supported St. Joseph Center. The outpouring of support brought us closer together.
Vincent said, “Putting out fires [metaphorically] is what we do. I tell my team to always be on their toes, think fast, and do it well. Someone is in need. That’s our job: to help people get on their feet.” He also stressed the importance of mental health support, allowing a housing AND healing approach. The stress of displacement can significantly impact mental well-being. Vincent added, “Mental health needs to be at the forefront. It is our number one problem. You will have a mental illness problem even if you have an addiction because you are surviving every day. It wears you down. I’ve been there.”
Rebuilding Together and Ensuring Safety for the Unhoused
Just as a phoenix rises from the ashes, addressing homelessness during crises like wildfires requires an immediate, compassionate, and safety-focused response. Here are three critical recommendations to support individuals experiencing homelessness and ensure their safety during and after wildfires:
- Conduct Regular Needs Assessments Among Unhoused Communities:
- Perform week-by-week assessments to understand the evolving needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, who are often indirectly impacted by wildfires through air quality issues, displacement, and loss of access to services.
- Use this information to guide outreach efforts, allocate resources, and ensure unhoused communities receive the support they need during and after emergencies.
- Support Staff on the Frontlines:
- Recognize and address the physical and emotional toll on staff who are on the frontlines supporting clients during crises.
- Provide mental health resources, rest opportunities, and clear communication to ensure staff feel supported and equipped to continue their vital work.
- Create a system for rotating staff to avoid burnout while maintaining consistent service delivery.
- Ensure Safety Through Coordinated Outreach and Emergency Supplies:
- Distribute essential emergency supplies, including KN95 masks, bottled water, blankets, hygiene kits, and evacuation kits, to address immediate health and safety concerns.
By prioritizing needs assessments, supporting frontline staff, and delivering coordinated outreach, we can address the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness during wildfires and build a system that ensures safety and care for the most vulnerable members of our community.
This past MLK Day of Service, we were reminded of Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. At St. Joseph Center, we honored his legacy by serving meals to our neighbors experiencing homelessness at our Bread and Roses Café and distributing emergency supplies to those impacted by the wildfires-–it was a powerful reminder of the importance of unity in the community. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate end must be the creation of the beloved community. It is in this spirit that we must work to break down the walls that separate us, to transform the jangling discords of our world into a symphony of brotherhood.” These words resonate deeply with us at St. Joseph Center. By working with compassion and a commitment to well-being, we can empower those in need to rebuild and emerge stronger.
